Very Finnish Problems creator Joel Willans interviews the minds behind Midsummer Madness, a free Helsinki open-air Midsummer event for 2020. Jeroen Sebrechts and Claire Delhom discuss their personal journeys to Finland from Belgium and France respectively, and explain why Midsummer Madness is a licensed Moomin event, despite featuring zero trolls or Hattifatteners. Co-host Laura Suihkonen shares a very bleak movie recommendation. Contact: veryfinnishproblems@inktank.fi Produced by Thomas Nybergh / Ink Tank Media Shownotes: Midsummer Madness Open Air Festival (Jun 19-20 2020): https://midsummermadness.fi/en/ The Finnish Sauna Association’s Primer on sauna culture: https://www.sauna.fi/in-english/finnish-sauna-culture/ Laura’s recommendation: The Joker (2019): https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/joker_2019 Jeroen’s recommendation - go check out Hungarian movies: https://hungarytoday.hu/thursday-top-ten-movie-time-best-hungarian-movies-53259/ Joel’s recommendation - The Guardian Weekly’s journalism: https://www.theguardian.com/weekly Claire’s recommendation - "The Moomins, The World of Moominvalley" by Philip Ardagh and Frank Cottrell Boyce: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36473933-the-moomins

Very Finnish Problems

Episode 19: When Midsummer is Finland’s best and worst celebration

In this episode, Joel Willans, author of the Very Finnish Problems books, discusses journalist Erika Benke’s amazing journey from communist Hungary to the BBC World Service and her recent stories on Finland. Topics include stories on how the climate crisis is tackled northern Finland, and the country’s recent limited trials of Universal Basic Income. Co-host Joe Konderla and Erika present their recent experiences of how London has been utterly ruined by overcrowding. Contact: veryfinnishproblems@inktank.fi Produced by Thomas Nybergh / Ink Tank Media Shownotes: Episode 12 of our show features in-depth discussion with a Finnish wilderness explorer: https://inktank.fi/vfp-ep-12-northern-light-joonas-linkola/ Erika’s summary of the Finnish Universal Basic Income trials: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nPQM54oPMg The town of Ii: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ii,_Finland Joel’s recommendation - Very Brexit Problems merchandise: https://verybrexitproblems.com/ Erika’s recommendation - Death in Ice Valley, the BBC’s and NRK’s true crime podcast on a mysterious, potentially espionage related death in Bergen, Norway: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p060ms2h Joe’s recommendation - his own blog on life in Finland: http://www.thefinniot.com

Episode 18: When it's December 24th and it still hasn't snowed

Joel Willans, author of the Very Finnish Problems books, learns how the polluting textile industry is facing much-needed renewal thanks to Finnish innovation. Emmi Berlin from Jyväskylä based wood pulp fiber/textile startup Spinnova brings us unsettling details on the dead ends of fast fashion, while providing an alternative that just might keep us clothed for decades to come. Co-host Joe Konderla points out teachable moments in a UK program which caused the scrapping of perfectly usable Ford Escorts. Contact: veryfinnishproblems@inktank.fi Produced by Thomas Nybergh / Ink Tank Media Shownotes: Joel’s latest book - More Very Finnish Problems: https://www.gummerus.fi/fi/kirja/9789512407507/101-very-finnish-problems/ Spinnova’s technology: https://spinnova.com/our-method/technology/ Episode 6 of our podcast features more musings on the textile industry and fast fashion: https://inktank.fi/very-finnish-problems-episode-6-rinna-saramaki-ethics-clothing-industry/ UK Vehicle scrappage scheme wasted perfectly good cars: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_scrappage_scheme Emmi’s recommendation - Stacey Dooley’s documentary on fast fashion: https://www.timetimer.com/ Joe’s recommendation - Facebook Marketplace for secondhand-oriented shopping: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/ Vaaterekki - Helsinki-based clothes lending service: https://www.vaaterekki.com/

Episode 17: Wearing 15 layers of clothing to stay warm

Very Finnish Problems creator Joel Willans chats with Joe Konderla, writer at the Finniot, a blog on adjusting to Finnish quirks. Topics include British imperialism in Wales, Helsinki versus Tampere and overdosing on Moomins. Co-host Thomas Nybergh advises against home ownership and suggests learning Swedish to fast-track Finnish citizenship. Contact: veryfinnishproblems@inktank.fi Produced by Thomas Nybergh / Ink Tank Media Shownotes: Joe’s blog: http://www.thefinniot.com/ Joel’s new book - More Very Finnish Problems: https://www.gummerus.fi/fi/kirja/9789512407507/101-very-finnish-problems/ The City of Tampere: https://www.tampere.fi/en/index.html Integrate in Finland through learning Swedish, an official language in Finland: https://integration.luckan.fi/integrating-in-swedish/ The Finnish constitution, see Section 17 – Right to one’s language and culture: https://oikeusministerio.fi/en/constitution-of-finland English is now an official language in Espoo, a Helsinki suburb: https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/espoo_plans_english-language_education_from_kindergarten_to_doctorate_in_two_years/9837902 FAQ on Helsinki metro expansion, look for section on platform length: https://web.archive.org/web/20171224033638/https://www.lansimetro.fi/en/information-on-the-project/faq/ Joe’s recommendation - Time Timer, a productivity tracking app that helps keep focus with visual cues: https://www.timetimer.com Joel’s recommendation - Alita Battle Angel (trailer): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7pYhpJaJW8 Thomas’ podcast recommendation - It Could Happen Here, war journalist explains the second American Civil War: https://www.itcouldhappenherepod.com Thomas’ recommendation, Chernobyl’, the TV series, which is excellent, but scientifically inaccurate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9APLXM9Ei8 Moldovan-American journalist on Chernobyl Exiled Russian journalist Masha Gessen on what ‘Chernobyl’ gets right and wrong: https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/what-hbos-chernobyl-got-right-and-what-it-got-terribly-wrong Thomas’ Finnish music pick: “Waterfalls”, a song from LCMDF’s, fun, catchy sophomore album Sad Bangers (Spotify, Apple Music) Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/6RNwbzHDMOcaWHyv8285L5 Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/fi/album/sad-bangers/1416634075

Episode 16: When you think life is hard in Finland

Joel Willans, captain of Very Finnish Problems, investigates the extraordinary hot beverage habits of his adopted country. Lari Salomaa, from Swedish artisanal coffee and tea brewery Johan & Nyström, joins to spill the beans on the nuances of Nordic caffeine madness, with the help of his book on the subject. Co-host Thomas Nybergh breaks his dystopian entertainment cycle with recommendations of a classic Finnish pop album and an actually uplifting podcast. Contact: veryfinnishproblems@inktank.fi Produced by Thomas Nybergh / Ink Tank Media Shownotes: Lari Salomaa's book on changes in the coffee industry (in Finnish, for now): https://like.fi/kirjat/kahvivallankumous/ Joel’s new book - More Very Finnish Problems: https://www.gummerus.fi/fi/kirja/9789512407507/101-very-finnish-problems/ Differences between coffee strains from around the world: https://driftaway.coffee/coffee-from-around-the-world/ Thatcher the Milk Snatcher’s effect on British schools: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/apr/15/margaret-thatcher-education-legacy-gove Lari's podcast recommendation - Cappuzine, on coffee (in Finnish): https://soundcloud.com/cappuzine The impact of Marcos Croce and family on the coffee industry: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/apr/15/margaret-thatcher-education-legacy-gove Joel’s recommendation: The European Parliament on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/europeanparliament/ Joel’s second recommendation: vote in the European election. Really: https://europa.eu/european-union/about-eu/european-elections_en Thomas’ podcast recommendation - Nocturne, stories exploring modern life’s relation to the night, with the most soothing narration ever: https://nocturnepodcast.org/the-blue-time/ Thomas’ Finnish music pick: “Lähtisitkö”, a classic song from Pave Maijanen‘s exquisite, glossy-sounding 1984 album Maijanen Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/6RNwbzHDMOcaWHyv8285L5 Apple Music: https://itunes.apple.com/fi/album/l%C3%A4htisitk%C3%B6/713756755?i=713756816 About Pave Maijanen: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pave_Maijanen

Episode 15: When your world-leading coffee consumption is a sham

Creator of Very Finnish Problems Joel Willans returns with a conversation on how and why Finland is big in Japan with project manager, exports specialist Sami Häikiö. We learn about the strides being made to bring Moomin to the world and the peculiarities of booking metal gigs in Tokyo. Co-host Thomas Nybergh deals with troublesome Nipponese electronics and contributes the bleakest recommendation segment yet. Contact: veryfinnishproblems@inktank.fi Produced by Thomas Nybergh / Ink Tank Media Shownotes: Joel’s new book: More Very Finnish Problems: https://www.gummerus.fi/fi/kirja/9789512407507/101-very-finnish-problems/ Are Finland and Japan obsessed with each other?: https://theculturetrip.com/europe/finland/articles/are-finland-and-japan-obsessed-with-each-other/ On Japan’s love of fax machines (New York Times, 2013): https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/14/world/asia/in-japan-the-fax-machine-is-anything-but-a-relic.html It’s 2016 And I’m Buying A New Japanese Fax Machine: https://kotaku.com/its-2016-and-im-buying-a-new-japanese-fax-machine-1785288793 An overview of new Finnish rock and metal: https://musicfinland.com/playlists/new-rock-and-metal-from-finland What you should know about the Japanese music market (2015): https://mxd.dk/arkiv/what-you-should-know-about-the-japanese-music-market-in-depth/ The Guardian reviews ‘Who Will Comfort Toffle?’, a delightful moomin picture book: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2003/nov/01/featuresreviews.guardianreview30 Kirkus review of Moominpappa at Sea, the most grown-up novel in the Moomin canon: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/tove-jansson-2/moominpappa-at-sea/ About the Fermi Paradox, the possibility that the universe is surprisingly devoid of (intelligent) life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNhhvQGsMEc Thomas’ podcast recommendation, The End of the World With Josh Clark: https://www.theendwithjosh.com/ Thomas’ 2nd recommendation: Kidding, superbly written dark comedy drama series starring Jim Carrey, Catherine Keener and many others: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jS6Gt76e_NA Joel’s recommendation, Kitchen Nightmares: https://www.youtube.com/user/KitchenNightmares Sami’s recommendation, Sons of Anarchy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sons_of_Anarchy Sami's second recommendation, Japan Times, excellent news reporting in English: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/ Sami’s old band, Karkkiautomaatti on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2HbjhoqYElSXZsak99LAkR Sami's old band, Karkkiautomaaatti on Apple Music: https://itunes.apple.com/fi/artist/karkkiautomaatti/265592886

Episode 14: When your main exports are spooky hippos and metal music

This time, Very Finnish Problems creator Joel Willans is joined by Joanna Nylund, author of Sisu: The Finnish Art of Courage, to discuss, as the book title suggests, Finnish resilience. Is sisu somehow a Finnish cultural trait or do Finns mostly benefit from briefly defining a necessary universal way to stay sane while facing hardship? Co-host Thomas Nybergh returns to blame Joel for British imperialism and remains skeptical about how close to nature Finns really are. Contact: veryfinnishproblems@inktank.fi Produced by Thomas Nybergh / Ink Tank Media Shownotes: Joel’s new book - More Very Finnish Problems: https://www.gummerus.fi/fi/kirja/9789512407507/101-very-finnish-problems/ Sisu explained: https://finland.fi/arts-culture/sisu-within-finnish-key-life-love-success/ Get Joanna’s book Sisu in Finnish: https://www.readme.fi/kirja/sisu/ Get Joanna’s book Sisu in English: https://www.octopusbooks.co.uk/books/detail.page?isbn=9781856753807 The Finnish Famine 1866-68: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnish_famine_of_1866–68 National romanticism: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romantic_nationalism How to Win Friends and Influence People: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_to_Win_Friends_and_Influence_People American center-right politician Barack Obama touring the Nordics yanksplaining social democracy to business leaders: https://www.forbes.com/sites/oliversmith/2018/10/01/european-business-leaders-spent-500000-on-photos-with-obama/#7324362d6235 The End of History: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/End_of_history Joel's appearance on Finnish Public Broadcaster Yle’s podcast All Points North: https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/all_points_north_podcast_7_breaking_down_brexit_with_susanna_turunen_and_joel_willans/10129196 Joanna’s book recommendation - Factfulness by Hans Rosling, on how the world has gotten better without the West noticing: https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2018/apr/11/good-news-at-last-the-world-isnt-as-horrific-as-you-think Bill Gates on Hans Rosling: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uooRe07mYM Hans Rosling interviewed on British TV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vr6Q77lUHE Thomas’ podcast recommendation - Behind the Bastards, an informative, funny weekly rant on some of the worst people in history: https://www.behindthebastards.com/ Joel’s recommendation: Classical Trancelations, unforgettable electronic music reinterpreted by classical orchestra at Helsinki Arena (streamable worldwide): https://areena.yle.fi/1-50007533?seek=6671

Episode 13: When you don’t get sisu

What’s it like to spend most of your time living in the Finnish wilderness? Joel Willans, author and creator of Very Finnish Problems discusses the beauty of Northern nature with explorer and Instagram personality Joonas Linkola. What about extreme heat versus the absurd cold? Co-host Thomas Nybergh wants cell reception in the wilderness and ensures the show ends with reading and listening recommendations. Contact: veryfinnishproblems@inktank.fi Produced by Thomas Nybergh / Ink Tank Media Shownotes: Joel's book, 101 Very Finnish Problems: https://www.gummerus.fi/fi/kirja/9789512407507/101-very-finnish-problems/ Joonas Linkola on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joonaslinkola/ This is what a no-deal Brexit looks like: http://www.politics.co.uk/blogs/2018/07/27/this-is-what-no-deal-brexit-actually-looks-like The Iraqi (not Irianian!) who saved Norway from Oil: https://www.ft.com/content/99680a04-92a0-11de-b63b-00144feabdc0 Search for the above oil article and click on article via Google to skip paywall: https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Aft.com+The+Iraqi+who+saved+Norway+from+oil+Farouk+al-Kasim Joonas' book recommendation, "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck" by Mark Manson: https://independentaustralia.net/life/life-display/review-the-subtle-art-of-not-giving-a-fck,10679 Joel's book recommendation, "The Men Who Stare at Goats" by Jon Ronson: https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2004/nov/21/politics Thomas' podcast recommendation, My Indian Life, young Indian adults in the 21st century explored by Bollywood actor Kalki Koechlin: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06dwm6y

Episode 12: When Northern Lights have been seen by everyone except you

What‘s so weird and wonderful about Finland? British writer and Helsinki resident Joel Willans, the creator of Very Finnish Problems, and best-selling author of 101 Very Finnish Problems: The Foreigner’s Guide to Surviving in Finland and More Very Finnish Problems: The even more essential guide, discusses, with a variety of fascinating guests, life in his much-loved, adopted country. Contact: veryfinnishproblems@inktank.fi Produced by Thomas Nybergh / Ink Tank Media

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Very Finnish Problems

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